The Sexiest Men Alive From The Last 20 Years
Take a stroll through the last 20 years of People‘s Sexiest Men Alive. This year, the award went to Grey’s Anatomy‘s neurosurgeon Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd. The long-awaited title is something…
Matthew McConaughey arrives for the Spanish premiere of his new film “Sahara” at the Palacio de la Musica Cinema on April 13, 2005 in Madrid, Spain. Idris Elba attends the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2018 at the Theatre Royal on November 18, 2018 in London, England. Chris Evans attends the “The Gray Man” Netflix Special Screening at Zoopalast on July 18, 2022 in Berlin, Germany.
Carlos Alvarez/Jeff Spicer/Getty Images/Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images for NetflixTake a stroll through the last 20 years of People's Sexiest Men Alive. This year, the award went to Grey's Anatomy's neurosurgeon Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd. The long-awaited title is something we look forward to every year, and this year's choice has been worth the wait. The actor has never been given the title before, and with nearly 20 years of being television eye candy, the actor told the publication when he first heard the news, “I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right?” As for how his kids will respond, the Maine native insists they’re just going to make fun of him.
Humble Beginnings
Growing up in Maine, he recalled always having to be moving, so he took up a lot of sports like baseball, soccer, skiing, cycling." The Ferrari actor had dyslexia, so he didn't love school, and described himself as a "late bloomer." In his youth, Dempsey joined a vaudeville troupe and rode a unicycle while juggling.
Now, the key is maturity and wisdom for the Can't Buy Me Love alum. "You go through cycles of life, so you understand there are going to be high and low moments and what are the most important things. Everything else is a gift.” Despite his heartthrob status over the years, “I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life,” he says of his new title.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and People magazine has their own taste. See the Sexiest Men Alive from the last 20 years below:
2003
Franco Origlia/Getty ImagesVENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 28: Actor Johnny Depp arrives at the premiere of his film, "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" at the 60th Venice Film Festival August 28, 2003 in Venice, Italy. The annual Venice Film Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious cinema events in Europe. The festival is scheduled to be held in Italy for ten days. Films are shown at venues all over the Lido. The festival traditionally sponsors non-Hollywood films and the top award is known as the Golden Lion. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
2004
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Actor Jude Law arrives to the premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Closer" on November 22, 2004 at the Mann Village, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
2005
Carlos Alvarez/Getty ImagesMADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 13: Actor Matthew McConaughey arrives for the Spanish premiere of his new film "Sahara" at the Palacio de la Musica Cinema on April 13, 2005 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
2006
Scott Wintrow/Getty ImagesNEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Actor George Clooney answers questions during a news conference after addressing the United Nations Security Council on Dafur at the UN September 14, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)
2007
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS - JULY 5: Actor Matt Damon arrives at the Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament during the World Series of Poker at the Rio Hotel & Casino July 5, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Proceeds from the event will benefit survivors of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
2008
Sean Gallup/Getty ImagesBERLIN - DECEMBER 12: Actor Hugh Jackman attends the German photocall for "Australia" on December 12, 2008 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
2009
Bryan Bedder/Getty ImagesNEW YORK - NOVEMBER 17: Actor Johnny Depp attends 'The Museum of Modern Art Film Benefit: A Tribute To Tim Burton' at The Museum of Modern Art on November 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
2010
Joe Scarnici/Getty ImagesTORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 14: Actor Ryan Reynolds attends an Exclusive Reception hosted by BlackBerry for "Buried" at TIFF at Thomson Hotel on September 14, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
2011
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. "The Hangover Part II" held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on May 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
2012
Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Actor Channing Tatum arrives at the closing night gala premiere of 'Magic Mike' at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festiva held at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on June 24, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
2013
Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesTORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 07: Actor Adam Levine arrives at the "Can A Song Save Your Life?" premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 7, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
2014
Scott Barbour/Getty ImagesMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 01: Actor Chris Hemsworth at the Johnnie Walker Marquee on Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 1, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
2015
Anthony Harvey/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: David Beckham attends the British Fashion Awards 2015 at London Coliseum on November 23, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)
2016
Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for HBOMIAMI BEACH, FL - JULY 14: Dwayne Johnson attends the HBO "Ballers" Season 2 Red Carpet Premiere and Reception on July 14, 2016 at New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for HBO)
2017
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for NBCUNIVERSAL CITY, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Blake Shelton poses for a photo during NBC's "The Voice" Season 13 on November 20, 2017 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for NBC)
2018
Jeff Spicer/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Idris Elba attends the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2018 at the Theatre Royal on November 18, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
2019
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: John Legend attends The Hollywood Reporter's Annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast Gala at Milk Studios on December 11, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images )
2020
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for NYFW: The ShowsNEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: Michael B. Jordan attends the Coach 1941 fashion show during February 2020 - New York Fashion Week on February 11, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows)
2021
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Sony PicturesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Actor Paul Rudd attends the GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE World Premiere on November 15, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)
2022
Gareth Cattermole/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Chris Evans attends "The Gray Man" Special Screening at BFI Southbank on July 19, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
2023
Andreas Rentz/Getty ImagesVENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Patrick Dempsey attends a red carpet for the movie "Ferrari" at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2023 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
